Duke's new policy to cut down trees has residents fighting to overturn it

Nearing the tenth anniversary of the Great Northeast Blackout of 2003 that put 55 million people in the dark, the finger of blame points to Cleveland's First Energy.

Symmes Township resident Joe Grossi is upset this tree in his yard will be cut down if Duke Energy implements a new vegetation management plan for an easement near utility-owned power lines on Grossi's property.(Photo: Provided)

A towering leafy one in his side yard offers shade in the summer. Some plump evergreens add privacy. Together, they dampen the noise from Interstate 71 and provide a natural scene outside his windows.

It's pleasant, and that's part of the reason Grossi bought his house on Paul Meadows Drive. So, when Grossi learned that those trees were going to be cut down, the retiree was none too pleased.

"As long as I have breath in my body and money to do it," Grossi said, "I'll fight them."

"Them" is Duke Energy and Grossi has joined a growing group of similarly aggravated customers.

Contractors for Duke Energy rolled onto residential streets in Deerfield Township last week and began cutting down trees – trees that used to just get a trim – in the utility's right of way and near its electric transmission lines.

In mid November, trucks began pulling onto Deerfield Township streets and cutting down trees. Here is an image taken in Deerfield Township in the Montgomery Farms subdivision.(Photo: Provided)

"We know that trees and tree limbs are the No. 1 cause of power outages for utilities across the country – including Duke Energy," said Sally Thelen, company spokesperson.

The transmission line in question serves over 25,000 customers, Thelen said. It touches 330 parcels of land from West Chester Township toward Montgomery.

A map of the transmission line where Duke is currently implementing a new vegetation management plan to not trim but cut down trees. Note: This was the best map Duke could provide at the time of publication.(Photo: Provided by Duke Energy)

Before, Duke commonly trimmed trees near lines under 200 kilovolts. Now, in all cases, all trees will be cut down.

Ultimately, "it is the legal right of Duke Energy to maintain the right of way," Thelen said. "We tried to prune more but believe now the best practice is to remove vegetation below our wire zone."

How many miles of transmission lines could this effect in Ohio and Kentucky?

Thelen could not provide an answer in time for publication, only that Duke has 2,500 miles of transmission lines and the company operates them at three transmission voltages; 345 kilovolts, 138 kilovolts and 69 kilovolts.

Neighbors think Duke is being overly aggressive in its plan and is motivated, instead, by reducing long-term trimming costs.

One affected neighbor, Kim Wiethorn, also of Symmes Township, said it’s a stretch to say some of these trees pose a real threat.

According to the literature that she received from Duke, the tree service the utility hired planned to cut down all trees 50 feet of center – meaning 100 feet across.

Wiethorn and others asked Duke to meet with them as a group to talk about its plans. Duke has not accepted their request, Wiethorn said.

In response, dozens of complaints were filed in recent weeks with the Public Utility Commission of Ohio, which regulates utility companies.

Last week, Wiethorn, Grossi and about two dozen others, including the Symmes Township trustees, asked the state to grant a stay on Duke's vegetation management plan until the complaints are heard.

The commission agreed to grant the stay, meaning the tree service can't do work on the complainants’ properties for now.

Duke has appealed.

"I feel like we’ve won a small battle," Wiethorn said, "but definitely not the war."